Im not saying that he is as good as Cantona. What Im saying is that if Benzema is truly good then we shouldnt be afraid of bidding on him just because we have a striker who couldnt break in Spurs first team in our midst, expecially considering that (Benzema) is still very young and not some 28 year old whose price is destined to go down.
Karim Benzema
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Jamie (@Vault Dweller) are here to talk about United's dreadful home defeat at the hands of Big Ange's Tottenham Hotspur. Should this have been the end of Ten Hag? How long does he actually have left? And does Nik finally want ETH out?!
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Im not saying that he is as good as Cantona. What Im saying is that if Benzema is truly good then we shouldnt be afraid of bidding on him just because we have a striker who couldnt break in Spurs first team in our midst, expecially considering that (Benzema) is still very young and not some 28 year old whose price is destined to go down.
Agree, the Ligue 1 may have produced some great players, but sometimes the best aren't that suited for the PL. Cisse' was a great example, he just chose the wrong team. Benzema has to consider his best options. IMO Benzema-Rooney will be the best striking partner the world has every seen.
why does everyone keep bringing this up? Did everyone forget about Ronaldo or something? It's almost as if he never existed and we won all these trophies with 2-3 strikers.
If this photo doesn't inspire Fergie to get the cheque book out, nothing will.
If this photo doesn't inspire Fergie to get the cheque book out, nothing will.
A goal out of nowhere from Benzema. No suprise that we usually go for players that perform well against us.
If this photo doesn't inspire Fergie to get the cheque book out, nothing will.
Hargreaves is in that photo, it will probably inspire Fergie to torch his cheque book.
If this photo doesn't inspire Fergie to get the cheque book out, nothing will.
What is that Orange doing?
I thought the Benzema rumour was dead...Just give it up lads, cocks are well in.
Not according to MEN...
Reds eye Aguero and Benzema
Stuart Mathieson
June 25, 2009
KARIM Benzema would quit Lyon, snub Real Madrid and gamble on his World Cup place if United stumped up the cash to tempt the French club to part with the sought-after striker.
That is the opinion of highly-respected French magazine L'Equipe's chief football writer Eric Bielderman.
The Reds are concerned that the Premier League champions' wish-list of front men to replace the goals of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez is fast becoming impossible to nail down.
Alongside Benzema on Sir Alex Ferguson's transfer target radar is Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero.
The 21-year-old Argentine is also wanted by Chelsea but his Spanish employers are ready to play hard-ball.
"I know that the big clubs of Europe are interested in our player, but I have spoken with the people next to Sergio and I am convinced that next season he will continue in the squad," said president Enrique Cerezo.
"We have not received formally any offers and the club's board of directors have had a meeting and the decision is clear - Sergio Aguero is not for sale and only if a club pay his release clause could an exit be possible.
"We will not sell. We have a good team and we will strengthen it in every way that we can. We are absolutely calm, not afraid of anything or anyone. We have contracts that we respect and we hope others respect them."
The release clause that would trigger the Aguero sale is around £55m.
Despite the £80m windfall from Ronaldo, the £25m saved on Tevez and a probable £6m for the sale of Fraizer Campbell to Hull, United would certainly baulk at Aguero's buy-out price.
There are no such massive clauses for Benzema. But it has become obvious and a concern for Reds fans that three obstacles stand in the way of Fergie landing a young player he has long admired.
Safeguard
First is that Benzema wants to stay at his hometown club for another year to safeguard his place for France in South Africa next summer if they quality.
Secondly, he has also claimed he would prefer to move eventually to Real.
And thirdly, Lyon don't want to sell.
But L'Equipe's Bielderman believes they are not insurmountable barriers for United.
"If Karim stays at Lyon then he is sure to be Lyon's regular front man and France's first-choice striker at the World Cup if we qualify," Eric told M.E.N. Sport.
"But if he goes to United and is in competition with Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and whoever else they may buy up- front then he might lose some confidence if things are not going well as he settles into a new club, a new league and a new country for the first time in his career.
"That would probably jeopardise his international standing. It would be a big challenge for him. So leaving Lyon would be a gamble. That's his main concern.
"But that's not to say he is unambitious or lacking in self belief. Not at all. He is a very confident guy and very sure of himself and his qualities.
Character
"His character and professionalism have developed and progressed very smoothly with Lyon.
"He might consider that to take it onto the next stage, then he has to move. He had touched the very top in French football, winning the league with Lyon but last season was a bit boring for him. Lyon were not champions and he might now be tempted by a challenge and be prepared to take the World Cup risk."
But what of big spending Real circling Benzema as well as United?
"United would suit him better than Real," Bielderman added.
"United are a serious club and Sir Alex Ferguson a serious manager when it comes to developing young talent. He wants to improve and I think he could do that better in United's atmosphere rather than Real's Galactico-driven new era.
"He'd have more capacity to take his game on and be a regular with United. It would be less of a gamble for him to go to Old Trafford rather than the Bernabeu.
"He'd also be fine in the Premier League. He's quick, skilful and clever but can also protect himself from the physical challenges.
"He's got the ability and adaptability to play up-front or in a wider forward position like Rooney or Thierry Henry."
So, assuming Benzema is ready to chance his arm over his World Cup ambitions, and could be persuaded that Manchester rather than Madrid is his best footballing option, can Lyon be shifted?
"That is the key," added Eric.
"He is Lyon-made. He's been there all his career. If he thought the club were not 100 per cent behind keeping him then he would go.
"But if they relent and show that they are willing to talk to another club if the price is agreed, then I think he would say he would have to take the oppor- tunity.
"If Lyon stick to their guns and are not swayed by a big fee then he'd be happy to stay.
"But as soon as they alter that attitude a bit then he might not think they are completely behind keeping him anymore.
"We have a feeling over here that that will be the case and Lyon and United will agree a fee and Benzema would go to Old Trafford."
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co..._united/s/1122527_reds_eye_aguero_and_benzema
Yeah, but that article has no quotes and it only talks about the opinion of some french journalist, no concrete connection with Benzema.
He's a die hard United fan, he attended many games (home and away) since 80'. One of the most pertinent French journalist when it comes to english football (with Daniel Lauclair, who signed up on here a few monthes ago). You can trust him, he's no Marcel Dessailly. Once again, he's right about Benzema.
I think we carried him to be honest.
Doesn't that mean that he could well be biased ?
You serious
? good one, you're funny
Maybe he is exagerrating a bit, but he definitely has a point. For most of last season as soon as we lose the ball we ll end up playing in 10, because Ronaldo would not track back and leave JOS exposed...
oh right, because Ronaldo never won games on his own this season or pulled the team out from what could have been losses.
btw, the original issue was concerning the 06-07 and the 07-08 seasons.
If this photo doesn't inspire Fergie to get the cheque book out, nothing will.
Wes: "I cant find my contacts! Please! Somebody help me find my contact lenses.."
the original issue at hand was that someone had brought up that we only had 2-3 strikers during those seasons, completely ignoring that our hugest goal threat came from a player in the midfield, now that player is gone.
it could be liken to if Liverpool were to lose Gerrard, and someone was arguing that Liverpool don't need another striker because they had xx-amount-of-strikers with Gerrard
it could be liken to if Liverpool were to lose Gerrard, and someone was arguing that Liverpool don't need another striker because they had xx-amount-of-strikers with Gerrard
But that season we started with two strikers and a 2 bit players in Ole and Louis. No one was going to know the level that Ronaldo hit that season. Yes it paid of but we still only started the season with two frontmen.
sign him now!
If I see on the united website "Manchester united have agreed a deal with lyon and have been given permission to talk to Karim Benzema", I think I will scream like a school girl, in fact I know I will! I want it to happen so much, please dont disappoint fergie!!!Im checking every 5 mins for updates and its not healthy the anticipation is too much!!ahghhhh!!!!
If I see on the united website "Manchester united have agreed a deal with lyon and have been given permission to talk to Karim Benzema", I think I will scream like a school girl, in fact I know I will! I want it to happen so much, please dont disappoint fergie!!!Im checking every 5 mins for updates and its not healthy the anticipation is too much!!ahghhhh!!!!
You should take it easy if you don't want your anus to explode.
I keep checking Google news for any new information. I hope one way or another this wont go on for ages.
For those that watch a bit of the French League how would you rate it compared to other Europan leagues. Would I be correct in saying equal to the dutch league or slightly better or worse?
Do people actually think he will actually come to us and sign for us even if we get a deal accepted by Lyon?
With the world cup coming I'm not sure he would, he could end up being another upset player from sitting on the bench.
With the world cup coming I'm not sure he would, he could end up being another upset player from sitting on the bench.
You can never predict the mind of top footballers,they say something one day and something else the next,Mr Ronaldo for one
Have the hospitals been notified to prepare for you when he signs for Real?
It's a lot bit better at this stage if you ask me. The Dutch league seems to have become considerably worse compared to just a few years ago, not even the top teams are much to write home about right now. The French league is literally loaded with talent.
Great link..
You serious
Oui, il voulait connaitre l'avis des vrais fans de United sur Cantona (son impact sur le club, sa personnalité, est il toujours présent dans l'esprit des fans,etc). J'arrive pas a retrouver le thread par contre.
(Sorry for speaking french on an English forum but it's quite easier as we're both french)
No. Actually he's a damn good journalist. Always very obective when he writes stories or gives his opinion as a pundit. He's not a transfer muppet like other journalists. His main quality is his pragmatism. I've been reading his articles for 7 years or so but i'm aware of his love for United only since last year.
Hm..
Michael Jackson is dead and you're talking about football?
Sign this fecker already.
Sign this fecker already.
Are you sure he's dead?
They said he was, now they say hes in a coma. Go to the General mate.
Well he wasn't in the running to replace Ronaldo
What again ?
I think SAF will be even more determined to lock him down as early as possible as he is probably still gutted that he never managed to get Torres before Liverpool came in. Benzema is a good age to come over to the Premiership, he's proved himself in the French League and in the Champions League and other high profile French players have come to the Premiership and have thrived. He would be my first choice target above Aguero etc.
Experience has shown that a player's quotes don't mean anything, and if a big club come knocking, offering a significant wage increase and a greater chance of success on the biggest stage then it is a big draw.
more recycled news by the look of it and its the star
Sir Alex Ferguson took another step towards the £30m capture of striker Karim Benzema *yesterday.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/86443/United-close-in-on-Karim/
But Manchester United could yet face fierce competition from bitter *transfer market rivals Real Madrid.
Fallen French champions Lyon opened the door to the sale of prize asset Benzema by making a £15m move for Porto striker Lisandro Lopez.
It is a clear indication that Lyon *president Jean-Michel Aulas is preparing to cash in on his 21-year-old star.
Lyon were knocked back in a bid for *Paris Saint-Germain’s Guillaume Hoarau. But their rapid response was a move for Portugal ace Lopez.
That is good news for United boss *Ferguson, who is aware Benzema is in no hurry to leave Lyon until after the World Cup next summer.
The Old Trafford chief’s main problem could be big-spending Spanish giants Real, who have taken £80m Cristiano *Ronaldo from United and also want Wigan winger Antonio Valencia.
Real’s arch-rivals, Treble winners Barcelona, said yesterday they will pay Valencia £38m for striker *David Villa – who has no intention of quitting Spain.
And that left Real admitting they have dropped their interest in the Spain *striker.
Villa killed any hope United and Chelsea had of taking him when he said: “Next season I will play in Spain because it is the league that is best for me.”
Real are now likely to target Benzema, leaving United to hope that the Galactico policy at the Bernabeu will persuade the young Frenchman his prospects will be better at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, if Barca get Villa, it would allow the sale of Cameroon ace Samuel Eto’o to Manchester City – also *favourites to sign Carlos Tevez next Thursday.
Sir Alex Ferguson took another step towards the £30m capture of striker Karim Benzema *yesterday.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/86443/United-close-in-on-Karim/
But Manchester United could yet face fierce competition from bitter *transfer market rivals Real Madrid.
Fallen French champions Lyon opened the door to the sale of prize asset Benzema by making a £15m move for Porto striker Lisandro Lopez.
It is a clear indication that Lyon *president Jean-Michel Aulas is preparing to cash in on his 21-year-old star.
Lyon were knocked back in a bid for *Paris Saint-Germain’s Guillaume Hoarau. But their rapid response was a move for Portugal ace Lopez.
That is good news for United boss *Ferguson, who is aware Benzema is in no hurry to leave Lyon until after the World Cup next summer.
The Old Trafford chief’s main problem could be big-spending Spanish giants Real, who have taken £80m Cristiano *Ronaldo from United and also want Wigan winger Antonio Valencia.
Real’s arch-rivals, Treble winners Barcelona, said yesterday they will pay Valencia £38m for striker *David Villa – who has no intention of quitting Spain.
And that left Real admitting they have dropped their interest in the Spain *striker.
Villa killed any hope United and Chelsea had of taking him when he said: “Next season I will play in Spain because it is the league that is best for me.”
Real are now likely to target Benzema, leaving United to hope that the Galactico policy at the Bernabeu will persuade the young Frenchman his prospects will be better at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, if Barca get Villa, it would allow the sale of Cameroon ace Samuel Eto’o to Manchester City – also *favourites to sign Carlos Tevez next Thursday.
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